It was a warm and muggy night at #TheFurnace, and the Scorchers definitely felt the heat.
A record crowd of 20,870 people came out in hope of watching the Scorchers annihilate the Melbourne Stars and secure a home semi-final. Unfortunately, neither of those possible outcomes became realities.
Tonight we saw Matt Dixon play his first match of the BBL05 season, and Fremantle District Cricket Club’s Jhye Richardson debut after being awarded his cap by Adam Gilchrist before the match. Being given the cap by Gilly may have been the most enjoyable part of the match for the 19 year old though after taking 0 from 22 off 2 overs and making just 5 runs with the bat.
There were a few different outcomes that could have seen the Scorchers secure a home semi-final, it was all very confusing. Lots of if’s and but’s and numbers. Obviously, if they won it would have done it. OR if they had of reached 109 runs, it also would have done it- regardless of winning the actual match or not. And if the Stars bowled a ball that rotated 360 degrees in the air going at an exact pace of 142kms per hour before hitting the wickets in the 7th over, it may have also done it… Ok, I made up that last bit.
Scorchers won the toss and elected to field first. They actually looked pretty fierce early on in the innings with a couple of nice catches and the wicket of Stars big gun Kevin Pietersen. It was 3/38 after 6 overs. The home side displayed some tight fielding and Melbourne had to work hard for their runs.
The crowd were full of life, loving every minute of it and really getting behind the Scorchers. I actually spotted a giant banner in the stands that said “Hoggy 4 PM” which I thought was brilliant. We also had the top notch commentary trio of Freddie Flintoff, Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist which was a delight to listen to as always. I could listen to Freddie all day! #Swoon
Dixon became a shining light for the Scorchers, finishing on 3/32 off his 4 overs in his first game of the season. The Bearded Bandit AKA Andrew Tye delivered some beautiful yorkers and finished the innings on 2/25 off his 4 overs. Scorchers hero Brad Hogg and David Willey also took a wicket each.
Import Michael Carberry almost took an AMAZING diving catch on the boundary, off a ball from Melbourne’s Evan Gulbis. I couldn’t tell if it was Carberry or superman flying there for a second! If only it had of stuck, it would have been the grab of the season!
Check it out here: http://bcove.me/1bdpmcpp
Tye came in to bowl and took 2 wickets in the 17th over. He was on fire. He is such a controlled bowler with a few tricks up his sleeve, and he knows just the right time to use them. He has great confidence and his bowling speed increases the more confident he gets.
Melbourne Stars finished on 9/146 after 20 overs with Daniel Worrall getting run out by David Willey off the last ball of the innings. The young Scorchers side did well. Excellent fielding and nice bowling at the stumps.
Andddd then the match was over and everyone went home. Oh wait- that was my dream ending. Unfortunately, the real ending was not as pleasant. It pains me to re-live this but here goes… (It doesn’t take long)
Michael Klinger and Adam Voges were the starting batsmen for the Scorchers. Klinger needed to make runs tonight but got out for a duck. Scorchers were 1/1 after the first over. Yeesh. It got worse. It was 2/10 after 3 overs as David Willey was caught out.
Big hitter Michael Carberry came in to bat for Perth and I thought he was going to be the saviour. I was wrong. He hit one very welcome boundary but then got dismissed off his own leg pad for 7. That one hurt. Ashton Agar stepped up to bat, also got out for duck with a diving catch from Melbourne’s Daniel Worrall. It was 4/26 after 6 overs. Yes you read that correctly. Cam Bancroft walked out to bat and basically walked straight back off again after being bowled out for 1 by Adam Zampa.
The Furnace had gone deadly silent. I don’t think I have ever seen it so eerie! The good news is – the WACA saved some money on fireworks tonight as they only set them off when a boundary is reached… Which wasn’t often. It was 5/41 after 9 overs. Ashton Turner came to the crease. He made it to double figures, which was a nice change but was bowled out shortly after for 10.
Tye came in to bat and hit the ONLY six for the Scorchers. He got lucky when Kevin Pietersen dropped a sitter over the boundary. However, his luck was lost on the next ball he faced, getting caught by the Star’s sub.
It was 7/72 after 14 overs and Scorchers fans were scratching their heads. At this stage there was still a very tiny chance of the Scorchers reaching 109 and getting the home semi-final, even though they were not going to win the match. Jhye Richardson came in to bat- he was bowled AND caught by Melbourne’s Ben Hilfenhaus. Veteran Brad Hogg stepped up to bat- he was caught by David Hussey and out for a duck.
The last Scorcher left was Matt Dixon, who was bowled for a duck by Daniel Worrall. And that was that. It was all over. Perth were all out for 94. Just to re-cap: Klinger, Agar, Hogg and Dixon all out for a duck. Adam Voges was the only player to make it past 10 runs, finishing on 46 not out.
The Stars were too good on this occasion. They won the game and the home semi-final, they will host the Scorchers at the MCG on the 22nd of January.
Let us know your thoughts on the match on twitter @TweetPerth @EmmaLianaPayne
